Upon their arrival at royal lands, one thing became distinctly clear to Aerity: their military forces had been stretched too thin, to the point that the royal lands may as well have been unguarded. Soldiers had been sent all across Lochlanach—to try to keep peace in the towns and to secure the borders. But it wasn’t enough to have a few men everywhere. If any of those places were attacked, it would be overpowered in no time. Young men were being trained as quickly as possible, but it wasn’t enough.
They were not safe.
The royal lands were too quiet. The market had been closed and people were not allowed in. Everything appeared eerie: the trees barren of their leaves; the stalls empty; the wind-whipped sea, lined with ready vessels. A winter-gray sky loomed, blowing frigid air along the paths.
Harrison waved down a fellow officer and called him over. It took the man a moment to recognize Aerity as she dismounted her horse, sore and cold. He bowed.
“Princess! Thank the seas for your safe return.”
“Get her inside where it’s warm,” Harrison told him. He was still atop his horse with Furball bundled in a blanket on his lap. “I’ll be in shortly. We’ll need a debriefing on every detail.”
Harrison clomped away, most likely to find a safe place for Furball. Aerity, Vixie, and Tiern climbed down and relinquished their horses. The three of them took the stone steps to the castle, dried leaves crackling underfoot. The moment they reached the top of the stairs and the doors were opened, Aerity heard a familiar voice.
“Princess!” Caitrin rushed forward and hugged her hard, earning headshakes from the guards. Aerity didn’t care; she hugged her back just as tightly.
“Oh, seas, look at you, Your Highness. Your hair.” The girl had tears in her eyes. “Come, let’s bathe you and get you into warmer, proper clothes.”
“Not yet, Caitrin,” she said gently but firmly. “After I meet with the council. But I could use some help with the color at that time. And I need a guest chamber readied for Tiern Seabolt.”
Caitrin twiddled with her apron, seeming reluctant to let Aerity go a moment longer looking the way she did. “I’ll alert the guest maids and start warming the water for your bath.” She rushed off.
Wyneth heard voices and she ran to the library window. The sight of Harrison’s back as he rode down to the stables sent a jolt of pure joy through her. He was here! And safe! Did that mean Aerity had returned as well? She grabbed her warm cloak and threw it over her shoulders as she sprinted through the castle to the entrance. The guards held open the door, and she nearly fell down the steps moving so quickly.
She finally caught up with Harrison near the stables. But instead of going inside he dismounted and sent his horse away, heading toward the hounds’ kennels. He had a bundle in his arms.
“Harrison!” she called, jogging.
His head shot to her and his face lit up with a joyful smile that made Wyneth catch her breath—he must have been happy to be home, and she was certainly glad to see him again. The bundle shifted and jumped from his arms—he swiped out to catch it but missed. Wyneth stopped in her tracks, skidding in the sandy dirt as something strange and furry charged at her. Harrison yelled. Wyneth saw thick fangs and claws as long as her fingers. She gasped and choked on a scream as she turned, only to fall over her twisted skirts like a clumsy oaf.
She scrambled to her feet, but it was too late. The beast jumped onto her back. She turned, screaming, and felt a wet lick up the entire side of her face. She walloped the creature and it fell to the side with a pained yap.
“Wyn! It’s okay!”
Harrison got to the creature and grasped it by the scruff of its neck. Wyneth pushed herself into a sitting position and crab walked backward a few feet. She stared at the creature, panting.
“It’s okay,” Harrison said, softer this time. “It—he . . . he won’t hurt you. He got excited, is all.”
“He— What is it?”
She stared at its lion head with a short, furry mane, and its bear-like body with thick, coarse fur of brownish black. The creature tried again to get to Wyneth, but Harrison lifted it into his arms and held it tight.
“I think he likes you,” he said, squatting on one knee. “He wants to meet you. We saved him from Rozaria. He’s just a cub, but he’s nearly doubled in size already since we took him.”
Rozaria? Wyneth’s mind spun. This was one of her beasts? But . . . how? What in Eurona had happened while they were away? The more Wyneth looked at the wiggling monster, the more she could sense its innocent excitement. She pushed to her knees and moved forward, holding her palm out. When she got to the creature, it sniffed her hand fervently and then set to licking. Wyneth laughed. She met Harrison’s eyes, and they both stared at one another in wonder.
“All right, Furball, enough of that,” Harrison said. “You can get to know Wyn later. Right now you have a big meal and a warm kennel calling your name.” He looked at Wyneth and stood, helping her to her feet but not releasing her hand right away. “And we’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”
Aye. Her forgetful moment of fun came to an end as she thought of her aunt and uncle, somewhere out there with Kalorians, and all that had happened in Aerity and Harrison’s absence.
Aerity wondered where the rest of the family was. She thought perhaps they would be in the king’s office, but when they’d reached it, there was only one person within. Old Duke Gulfton sat in his adviser’s chair, his hands on his staff, his eyes glazed. It took him a moment to turn his face to them and focus. A momentary look of frozen fear crossed his features.
“Are you all right?” Aerity asked him. “It’s Princesses Aerity and Vixie.”
“I know who you are.” His voice rasped.
“Good seas, sir,” Aerity said. “How long have you been sitting here? Have you eaten?” The man seemed to have aged decades in her short absence, from all he’d witnessed in the kingdom, no doubt.
“Everyone left after the king and queen were taken. Duke Streamson, even. All of the council. I didn’t think anyone would ever return.”
“Duke, why don’t you let one of the guards see you to a guest room for a rest? I will have a meal sent.” He peered up at her with the saddest glossy eyes.
“Nay. I will leave today to return home to my lands.”
Aerity nodded. “Be safe, good sir.” Then she turned to the nearest guard at the door. “Where are the lords and ladies?”
“At the Isle of Evie, Your Highness.”
“Except one,” came a sweet voice from the doorway.
Aerity looked up into the gorgeous face of Wyneth, and she rushed forward, nearly barreling her cousin over. They laughed and clung to each other, their happiness turning to a deeper joined emotion over all the things they’d felt in Aerity’s absence. Wyneth pulled back, holding Aerity’s shoulders.
“You are a sight.” Wyneth wiped her eyes and stood taller. Lord Alvi rushed into the room behind Harrison and looked about at their faces. He honed in on Aerity.
“You’re back. By the stars, Princess, something must be done around here! Your military must be brought together.” He made passionate gestures with his hands. “They need to decide a focus point and a plan of action—”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Aerity said.
Lief stopped and stared as if surprised, then dropped his hands. “Good. You’re a smart woman.”
“I need to be caught up on what’s happened and then we will form a plan.”
Harrison arrived, bringing five of the highest-ranking military officers. They informed Aerity of all that had happened, allowing her to stop and ask questions. When all was said, they took a few moments before Aerity addressed them. Her voice was strong, but inside she felt herself shaking from the weight of responsibility.
“The first thing we need to do is call in the troops from throughout the kingdom,” Aerity said. “The towns will have to police themselves for now. Send half the soldiers back here and the other half to the Kalorian border to strengthen our line of defense there.
“I am issuing a proclamation throughout Lochlanach: let them know that I am their acting monarch until my parents are returned. Beginning tomorrow, the royal lands will once again be open. We will have full military and royal guard in force. All hands will be checked—any suspicious persons will be detained. Let the people know I am seeking Lashed who wish to help others with their skills, and Unlashed who are in need of medical attention. The west commons will become a camp, a safe place for magic to be worked under supervision, but laws against magic throughout the kingdom are still intact.”
Lief crossed his arms. “What are the rules for the Lashed while they are here? Torestan camps are not allowing their Lashed to leave the premises.”
“I will not force them to stay,” Aerity said. “Some of them will have families to tend to. But no one may roam freely on royal lands, just in case Rozaria’s people try to infiltrate. Lashed must be escorted to and from the west commons and the royal gate by armed guards, and suspicious persons will be detained without question. We can take no chances, but I don’t want the Lashed feeling like criminals. The guards will be just as much for their protection.” Shocked faces stared back at her. “We can no longer afford inaction. Am I clear?”
Slowly, everyone in the room gave resolute nods.
“Prepare the tents and tables for use inside the west commons,” she said. “Gather our warmest blankets, spare clothing, and wood for fires. Hire lads from local towns to help, if needed. Send out the proclamation.” Harrison and the officers quickly left to begin.
Aerity leaned upon her father’s desk and exhaled, allowing herself to outwardly tremble now. Lord Alvi, Vixie, and Wyneth stood there quietly.
The old adviser had said nothing the entire time, which was uncharacteristic.
“Duke Gulfton,” Aerity said carefully. “Are you certain you’re all right?”
He lifted his drooping eyes to her and said in a scratchy voice, “Nay, child. But not a one of us is all right these days, I suppose.” And with those ominous words he pushed achingly to his feet and shuffled from the office.
Aerity looked at the other three and shook her head. “I’m not sure it’s smart to leave the towns without coverage. Especially once they hear the proclamation.”
“No course of action will be perfect,” Wyneth told her. “But I think you’re making the right decision in this. You’re showing Rozaria that you’re trying.”
She hoped her cousin was right.
“Aer,” Vixie said, “I think it’s time for that bath.”